Siphonic flush commode



Dec. 21, 1965 E. H. TUBBS SIPHONIC FLUSH COMMODE Filed March 18, 1964 H.TUBES IN V EN TOR.

ELTON United States Patent 3,224,013 SIPHONIC FLUSH COMMODE Elton H.Tubbs, 162 N. Portage St, Westlield, NY. Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No.352,832 12 iilaims. (U1. 4-69) This invention relates to a force flusharrangement and more particularly to a tankless force flush arrangementfor toilet bowls.

Known facilities of this art utilize many means and arrangements forflushing toilet bowls including siphoning and anti-siphoning devices,double traps and the like. All of these arrangements use several gallonsof water for each flushing operation depending on the tank sizes andflushing designs. A most common tank and flush arrangement requiresapproximately four gallons per flush. Another presently popular modelwhich is touted as being silent requires about seven gallons per flush.Moreover, all of the known gravity flush arrangements are subject tovarious types of stoppage as a result of lost diapers, toys etc. andthereby require expensive maintenance. Similarly, the tanks of theequipments, when filled with cold water tend to sweat and stain floors,rugs etc.

I have discovered that a force flush arrangement operable without usinga tank system besides being much quieter, requires only about one gallonof water per flush and assures flushing without stoppages of the typenormally suffered by gravity flush systems. Such operation not onlysaves substantial cycle time, but also results in a 75% waterconservation compared to the four gallon model and an 86% conservationcompared to the popular seven gallon model. With the present populationexplosion and the forseeable water shortage problem, such a conservationof water is presently needed and in the near future may even berequisite by mandate. Also, the omission of a tank substantially reducesshipping and handling costs as well as providing additional space foruse as storage and allowing substantial reduction of waste, dead spaceand particularly space which is difiicult to keep clean.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel andreliable force flush arrangement.

A further object is to provide a force flush arrangement which willreliably empty a toilet bowl without use of several times the capacitythereof to assure sanitary cleaning.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention a conventional toiletbowl arrangement is provided with a water trap in the lower portionthereof with no tank system being provided for the flushing thereof.Directly downstream of the water trap is provided a usual conduit meansexcept for the fact that it is provided with an aperture through which adownward projecting spray jet may be directed. The nozzle for this sprayjet is especially designed to provide a substantially continuous conicalwater sheath which at the base of the cone thereof engages the entireperiphery of the conduit. At the lower end of this conduit is provided asecond water trap which cooperates with the water sheath provided by thenozzle to allow escape of air bubbles when the sheath is operative tothereby establish a vacuum in the conduit and thus facilitate flushingof the bowl. Although a second water trap is often used in prior arttoilet bowl designs, the one of the present invention is notconventional in that a minimum water trap level is established by ahorizontal, downwardly projecting surface to provide a substantialregion through which air bubbles may rapidly escape because of thepressure differential established by the high speed conical sheath.

The subject matter which is regarded as my invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thisspecification. The invention, however, as to its organization andoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof willbest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational, sectional view of one embodiment of myinvention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the partial section taken along line 33 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the details shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of valve operations especiallysuitable for use with my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like numbers refer to similarparts, in FIG. 1, I have shown a relatively conventional toilet bowl 10formed of cast ceramic or the like and forming a part of a water trapcontaining trapped water 11 at a level established by a raised knee 12of a drainage conduit 13. At the lower extremity of the drainage conduit13 is provided a second water trap region 14 with the maximum levelthereof being established by a raised knee 15 in an exhaust conduit 16.As is required in most, if not all housing codes, the piping (not shown)leading from the exhaust conduit 16 includes an air vent to theatmosphere, usually extending through the roof of the house.

As shown in FIG. 1 the flush operation of the toilet bowl 10 is beinginitiated by a conical spray 20 having a substantially continuous sheathsurface and being estab lished by a nozzle arrangement 21. The nozzle 21receives water from a conventional piping system indicated at 22Whenever a valve 23 is opened.

A similar valve 24 is operable to provide water for cleanup of thetoilet bowl 10 for timed venting purposes, wash down and filling througha plurality of canted nozzles 26. The nozzles are arranged at about 45slant to provide cyclonic water flow within the bowl 10. Each nozzle 26is designed to provide a conical spray 28 which will tend to entrap dustand contaminates of the air in the bowl 10. As explained in greaterdetail below, the flushing of the trapped water 11 is accomplished bymeans other than the water supplied by the valve 24. In fact, the valve24 need not be opened until flushing is initiated. Such operation is adistinct departure from the more common toilets in use today. Theconventional arrangements dump water into the bowl for a substantialtime to thus initiate flushing as a function of the relative waterlevels. The present invention is concerned with the relative pressures,not water levels.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the nozzle 21 is provided with a coremember 3%) adjustable by screwing thereof into the nozzle frame 32 toprovide the conical sheath 20. The setting of the core 39 should besimilar to the adjustments attainable by a hose nozzle to obtain such aspray configuration for the particular water pressure hereinafterreferred to as tap pressure of the piping system 22.

As is readily apparent from the analogous hose nozzle sheath spray, thelength of the spray in sheath form is quite limited depending upon waterpressure and flow rate. Therefore, the nozzle 21 is preferably adjustedso that the sheath is continuous until all of its outer surface reachesthe inner surface of the drainage conduit 13. However, adjustments toobtain substantially this operation of the sheath will providesubstantially similar vacuum characteristics. On the other hand, the useof a simple stream of water as obtained from most water taps andorifices will not suffice.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the operation of the conical spray 20toward the trapped water forces escape of a plurality of air bubbles asindicated at 36 because of the wide and level configuration of adownward projecting knee 38 on the second water trap region 14. Suchutilization of the lower trap region 14 results in the establishing of avacuum (a pressure differential) of the order of five inches of waterwithin the drainage conduit 13 to rapidly flush the toilet bowl 10. Avacuum of this order is established during time periods of the order ofthree seconds or less to initiate flushing action. The continuedoperation of the spray nozzle 21 then forces by tap pressure a much morerapid flushing operation. I have found that such utilization of thenozzle 21 requires less than a quart of water. Three quarts of waterunder pressure as applied by the nozzles 26 will easily finish the cleanup of the bowl and the removal of noxious contaminants of the bowlatmosphere.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of my invention wherein a downwardprojecting knee 38 is cylindrical rather than flat, and is so placedthat air bubbles escape around the entire rim thereof to increase evenfurther the rapidity of the vacuum forming operation discussed above. Ofat least some assistance to the initial escape of bubbles is the factthat the conical spray 20 establishes a very rapid flow of water alongthe lower end of the surface of conduit 13 so that bubbles are formed atthe knee 38' rather than at the center of the conduit opening.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a preferred switching arrangement for thevalves 23 and 24 is indicated wherein a double through delayed openswitch arrangement 40 is provided with an actuating push button 41 whichdrives the switch mechanism downward against the bias of a spring 42 andestablishes an operating position for a pneumatic return speed limitdevice 43. The switch arm 44 itself is provided with contacts 46 thatengage the contact surfaces 48 and 49 when the switch mechanism is inthe depressed position. As the switch contact is established itenergizes a solenoid 50 of the valve 23 to thus flush the bowl andenergizes a solenoid 52 of the valve 24 to thus utilize the cleanupnozzles 26. In the event it is desired to fiush the bowl several timeswithout cleanup as may be under certain conditions, a separate, simplepush switch 54 may be employed. Similarly, if it is desired to provideadditional cleanup, solenoid 52 may be activated by a simple push switch55.

Obviously, more complex or simpler valve operating means may be useddepending upon the acuteness of the water shortage problem of aparticular area in which my invention is being used. For instance, it isoften preferred that the fill-up by use of valve 24 be extended slightlybeyond the flush (valve 23) operation. For this purpose, contact 48 isextended beyond contact 49. A prerinse of several seconds may beobtained by having a similar downward extension of the contact 48.

While I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention,slight variations thereof may occur to those skilled in this art. Iintend, therefore, to have all modifications which properly fall withinthe scope of my invention to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon forming outlet,comprising:

a water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicatingwith said water trap means to receive fluids from the bowl duringflushing thereof;

a rim flushing means for washing down and refilling the bowl;

a nozzle in said conduit downstream of said trap for directing a conicalsheath of water into said conduit in a direction away from said trapmeans, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantiallycontinuous sheath surface whereby air pressure within the sheath becomessubstantially greater than that between the sheath and said trap means,both the bowl and said conduit being at substantially atmosphericpressure whereby a pressure differential developed by the sheath flushesthe bowl; and

valve means for supplying water to said nozzle at full tap pressurewhereby the pressure differential is substantial.

2. A siphon forming outlet in accordance with claim 1 wherein theconduit leads to a second water trap means which allows passage of airbubbles therethrough during the flow of water through said nozzle toenhance formation of the pressure differential.

3. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon flushing means,comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicatingwith said first water trap means and leading generally downwardtherefrom to receive fluids thereof;

a second water trap means for maintaining water in the lower end of saidconduit; and

a nozzle located in said conduit to direct a conical sheath of waterinto said conduit in a direction toward said second trap means, saidnozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheathsurface from said nozzle to the inner surface of said conduit wherebyair pressure within the sheath becomes substantially greater than thatbetween the sheath and said first trap means, both said first and saidsecond trap means communicating with the atmosphere to have thereinduring standby conditions water surfaces substantially at atmosphericpressure whereby the pressure differential developed by the sheathcauses air bubbles to pass through said second trap means to develop asubstantial pressure differential in said conduit and thereby flushesthe bowl.

4. A siphon flushing means as in claim 3 having a downwardly extendingknee in said second trap means providing a substantially level surfaceunder which air bubbles may pass to deplete the supply of air in saidconduit at a rapid rate.

5. A siphon flushing means as in claim 4 wherein said knee is annularwith its inner surface open to said conduit and its outer surface opento an exhaust conduit.

6. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon flushing means,comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicatingwith said first water trap means and leading generally downwardtherefrom to receive fluids thereof;

a second water trap means for sealing the lower end of said conduit;

a nozzle located in said conduit to direct a conical sheath of waterinto said conduit in a direction toward the said second trap means, saidnozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuous sheathsurface from said nozzle toward the inner surface of said conduitwhereby the rapid motion of the sheath entraps air molecules so that airpressure within the sheath becomes substantially greater than thatbetween the sheath and the said first trap means, both said first andsaid second trap means communicating with the atmosphere to have thereinwater surfaces substantially at atmospheric pressure whereby thepressure differential developed by the sheath causes air bubbles to passthrough said second trap means to develop a substantial pressurereduction in said conduit adjacent to said first trap means and therebyflushes the bowl;

other nozzles arranged to supply water over the inner surface of thebowl to rinse such surface and to fill the flushed bowl;

valve means to supply water to said nozzle and said other nozzlesselectively; and

valve operator means arranged to operate said valves sequentially.

7. A siphon flushing means as in claim 5 wherein said valve operatormeans is operable to cause the water to flow first to said nozzle andsaid other nozzles and later to said other nozzles exclusively.

8. In combination with a toilet bowl, a siphon-forming outlet,comprising:

a first water trap means for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicatingwith said first water trap means and leading generally downwardtherefrom to receive fluids thereof;

a second water trap means for maintaining water in the lower end of saidconduit;

a nozzle located in the upper portion of said conduit to direct aconical sheath of water downwardly into said conduit toward said secondtrap means, said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantiallycontinuous sheath surface whereby air is entrapped within the cone ofthe sheath to cause air bubbles to pass through said second trap meansto develop a substantial pressure differential in said conduit andthereby flush the bowl, said second water trap means being provided witha horizontal downwardly projecting knee portion to provide a substantialregion for escape of entrapped air; and

means for rinsing the bowl and refilling it after the siphon has beeneffective to initiate flushing thereof.

9. A siphon forming outlet as in claim 8 having;

separate valve means for supplying water to said nozzle and said rinsingmeans respectively; and

valve control means for operating said separate valve means duringdifferent time periods.

10. A siphon forming outlet as in claim 8 wherein said rinsing meanscomprises a plurality of nozzles annularly spaced around the bowl andproviding thereto downward directed conical spray patterns at about 45degrees from vertical.

11. In combination with a toilet bowl:

a first water trap for maintaining water in the bowl;

a generally circular, relatively large diameter conduit communicatingwith the bowl and leading generally downward therefrom to receive fluidsthereof;

a second water trap associated with the lower end of said conduit;

a nozzle located in the upper part of said conduit to direct a conicalsheath of water downwardly into said conduit toward said second trap,said nozzle being adjustable to provide a substantially continuoussheath surface which impinges upon the inner surface of said conduitwhereby air is entrapped within the cone and air bubbles pass into saidsecond trap around the surface thereof;

a horizontal, downwardly projecting knee portion within said second trapto provide a substantial region for escape of entrapped air to develop asubstantial pressure differential in said conduit and thereby flush thebowl as a result of water flow through said nozzle; and

a plurality of nozzles annularly spaced around the bowl and providingthereto downwardly directed conical spray patterns at about 45 degreesfrom vertical for rinsing the bowl, refilling the bowl and removingcontaminants from the atmosphere of the bowl.

12. A siphon-forming outlet as in claim 11 having:

separate valve means for supplying water to said nozzle and said rinsingmeans respectively; and

valve control means for operating said separate valve means duringdifferent time periods.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 287,225 10/1883Buchan 473 476,867 6/1892 Boyle 4-71 534,689 2/1895 Hamilton 4751,119,812 12/1914 Deignan et al 473 1,142,092 6/1915 Haas 473 1,973,3499/1934 Kause 473 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,668 8/1961 Canada.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner,

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TOILET BOWL, A SIPHON FORMING OUTLET,COMPRISING: A WATER TRAP MEANS FOR MAINTAING WATER IN THE BOWL; AGENERALLY CIRCULAR, RELATIVELY LARGE DIAMETER CONDUIT COMMUNICATING WITHSAID WATER TRAP MEANS TO RECEIVE FLUIDS FROM THE BOWL DURING FLUSHINGTHEREOF; A RIM FLUSHING MEANS FOR WASHING DOWN AND REFILLING THE BOWL; ANOZZLE IN SAID CONDUIT DOWNSTREAM OF SAID TRAP FOR DIRECTING A CONICALSHEATH OF WATER INTO SAID CONDUIT IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID TRAPMEANS, SAID NOZZLE BEING ADJUSTABLE TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLYCONTINUOUS SHEATH SURFACE WHEREBY ARE PRESSURE WITHIN THE SHEATH BECOMESSUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THAT BETWEEN THE SHEATH AND SAID TRAP MEANS,BOTH THE BOWL AND SAID CONDUIT BEING AT SUBSTANTIALY ATMOSPHERICPRESSURE WBEREBY A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEVELOPED BY THE SHEATH FLUSHESTHE BOWL; AND VALVE MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID NOZZLE AT FULL TAPPRESSURE WHEREBY THE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL IS SUBSTANTIAL.